Drop detection device

Abstract

A drop detection device having a spherical inertia member disposed within an enclosure. The enclosure has multiple faces, preferably six faces oriented orthogonally, with each face having a pressure contact member. The exertion of a predetermined force by the spherical inertia member on the pressure contact member causes a signal to be activated. Multiple enclosures maybe disposed in different orientations in a housing of a fragile product to provide a signal if the product is dropped in any one of multiple directions.

1. A drop detection device comprising:
 a spherical inertia member disposed within an enclosure, the enclosure having a plurality of faces, each face having a pressure contact member, wherein a predetermined amount of force exerted by the spherical inertia member on one of the pressure contact members causes a signal to be activated, and wherein the drop detection device includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure, the first and second enclosures having cube shapes, the second enclosure being adjacent and oriented rotationally offset to the first enclosure, wherein the first enclosure has contact pressure members for detecting any of a first set of orthogonal forces, and the second enclosure has contact pressure members for detecting any of a second set of orthogonal forces, the first and second sets of orthogonal forces being offset to each other. 
 
   
   
     2. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure contact members are formed of a deformable diaphragm proximal to but not touching a contact member, wherein the predetermined amount of force deforms the diaphragm to contact the contact member. 
   
   
     3. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined amount of force is determined by a mass of the spherical inertia member. 
   
   
     4. The drop detection device of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined amount of force is determined by a flexibility of the deformable diaphragm and a distance between the deformable diaphragm and the contact member. 
   
   
     5. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein in a rest position or during normal motion, the spherical inertia member rests in contact with the contact pressure members on the faces exerting a force of less than the predetermined amount of force on the pressure contact members. 
   
   
     6. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is formed by two molded halves of a housing. 
   
   
     7. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical inertia member is calibrated to a predetermined mass in relation to the required sensitivity of the drop detection device to result in a signal being generated upon a pre-determined drop force being exerted on the drop detection device. 
   
   
     8. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure contact members are contact keys. 
   
   
     9. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the signal activates a visual indicator. 
   
   
     10. The drop detection device of  claim 9 , wherein the visual indicator is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). 
   
   
     11. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the signal activates an aural indicator. 
   
   
     12. The drop detection device of  claim 11 , wherein the aural indicator is an audible alarm. 
   
   
     13. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the drop detection device is formed during the molding of a computer product. 
   
   
     14. The drop detection device of  claim 1 , wherein the drop detection device is a self-contained assembly or is molded into packaging for products. 
   
   
     15. A drop detection device comprising:
 a spherical inertia member disposed within an enclosure, the enclosure having a plurality of faces, each face having a pressure contact member, wherein a predetermined amount of force exerted by the spherical inertia member on one of the pressure contact members causes a signal to be activated, wherein the signal activates an alarm indicator in an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit comprising: 
 a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal; 
 a first resistor coupled to the first terminal of the battery; 
 a fuse coupling in series the first resistor to the second terminal of the battery; 
 a second resistor coupled to the first terminal of the battery; 
 an alarm indicator coupling in series the second resister to a transistor, and the transistor coupling in series the alarm indicator to the second terminal of the battery; and 
 a contact having a first contact end and a second contact end, the first contact end being coupled to the first terminal of the battery and the second contact end being coupled to the fuse, wherein if the contact remains open by keeping separate the first and second contact ends, then no current from the battery passes through the alarm indicator, and wherein if a pre-determined drop force is exerted on the drop detection device, then the contact closes, resulting in the fuse being blown by current from the battery, such that current then flows through the alarm indicator. 
 
   
   
     16. The drop detection device of  claim 15 , wherein the alarm indicator is a Light Emitting Diode (LED).